Simple And Spicy 5 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese Crock Pot Recipe

If you're like me, you LOVE to cook. If you're like me, you LOVE cooking with your crock pot! Please read on for a quick and very basic recipe for making a spicy macaroni and cheese crock pot meal. I've made this dish several times for friends and family over the years. It's great in the winter during football games, as well as in the summer served at backyard barbecues!

This dish is very basic and simple to prepare. The finished product will knock your socks off! Please refer to the following for ingredients and how to put together...

What you'll need to make:
- Pasta: 2 to 3 pounds (boxes) of either Rotini twists or Conchiglie (shells)
- 2 pounds of Jalapeno (or spicy) sausage or kielbasa
- 1 pound of Velveeta
- 8 ounces of shredded Cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces of shredded Colby / Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- Jalapeno sauce
- One 28 ounce can of Black beans
- One 3 or 4 Quart crock pot or Slow cooker

How to make:
Slice sausage or kielbasa into 1/2 thick slices
Pour pasta into crock pot
Cut Velveeta cheese into multiple thin slices, place on top of pasta within pot (turn on pot to lowest setting)
Place sausage or kielbasa into pot
Pour the 8 ounces of shredded Cheddar cheese into pot
Empty the can of Black beans into pot
Pour the 8 ounces of shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese into pot
Mix entire concoction once
Pour 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese into pot
Let cook for approximately 1 hour, or until Velveeta cheese is melted
Pour remaining portion of Parmesan cheese into pot
Sprinkle Jalapeno sauce on mixture, stir
Let cook for one hour, stirring occasionally
To taste, add additional Jalapeno sauce, stir
Let cook for another 15 to 30 minutes
You're done! Yummy!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Darryl_Beagle/864460

Low Sodium Diet Gets Flavor Boost Using Salt Free Seasonings and a Crock Pot

When someone is first told to go on a low sodium diet, many at first think, I can do that. Just give up the salt shaker. Right? Not exactly. They don't realize until they try it, that their food tastes pretty bland without the salt taste they are used to. They are also learning that so much of what they were eating and using to cook with were full of salt and too high in sodium. The canned goods, canned soups, soup and seasoning mixes, frozen dinners, prepackaged foods, fast food, sodas, breads, cereals, etc. A low sodium diet is like learning to cook all over again.

Now, they go to the store for some salt free seasonings and a salt substitute to hopefully add flavor to their bland food. Most of the time they find that they do not get very good results. They are unhappy. They are perhaps starting to panic. It has been several days and nothing tastes good. They have tried everything in the store. They are going through salt cravings and getting real cranky. Some folks may have even stopped eating. They are thinking, is this my lot in life? No tasty food, ever again? This does not have to be the case.

You absolutely need good tasting salt free seasonings. You will find that salt free seasonings are not all created equal. Find a good tasting salt substitute. Preferably a no potassium chloride salt substitute. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables or frozen with no salt added. For you to stay on a low sodium diet you will be cooking almost everything from scratch. No canned soups, no mixes, no microwave dinners, no prepared foods. A low sodium diet is back to basics cooking. Old fashioned, old world style cooking doesn't have to take a lot of work. Just takes some planning, good seasonings, good ingredients and slow cooking, makes all the difference for a flavorful low sodium diet.

For a successful low sodium diet, learn to use a crock pot. Buy a crock pot that has a removable insert, as this makes it much easier to clean. Get a crock pot that is big enough to cook enough food for a couple of days, about 6 quarts is a nice size. You can prepare what your are going to cook the night before and set it in the refrigerator. Here is a low sodium cooking tip: Browning any meat before you put it in the crock pot will not only improve the appearance of the dish but also the flavor. Insert the prepared crock from the refrigerator into the heating element. Cover with lid. Set the crock pot temperature on low for about 10-12 hours or high for about 6-8 hours of cooking time. When you return home, your dinner is ready. The house smells great like you had been cooking all day but it was your crock pot doing all the work.

No slaving over a hot stove when you are tired after working all day. No temptation to eat out or to stop and get some fast food or a frozen dinner that is way too high in sodium. To your surprise, the food not only smells good when you walk in the door, but tastes good. Your dinner is full of flavor. What a difference good tasting salt free seasonings, quality fresh ingredients, and slow cooking can do towards adding flavor to a usually bland low sodium diet. Always, cook more than you need for dinner. The leftovers tend to be even more flavorful and dinner is as simple as re-heating for the next night or two. You might want to take some leftovers for lunch. You can also freeze the leftovers and reheat them for a quick low sodium meal.

With a little planning, salt free seasonings and a crock pot, you'll find it's easy to get flavor into a low sodium diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Debbie_Benson/380143

Quick and Simple Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

Chicken Teriyaki is one of the signature dishes of Japanese cuisine and is one of the most popular dish ordered in Japanese restaurants in all parts of the word. Teriyaki is actually a glaze which is applied to the meat just before it is grilled. Traditional the teriyaki sauce is a combination of Soy Sauce, Sake and Mirin. Check out the simple Chicken Teriyaki Recipe that you could try out at home.
Make sure that you have all these ingredients ready in your kitchen so that this could make the cooking process much easier and faster.

Ingredients for Chicken Teriyaki

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon corn oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 boneless chicken breast halves (about 10 ounces)

Directions for making delicious Chicken Teriyaki

• Take a mid-size bowl and mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, ginger, garlic powder and black pepper together
• You will then need to slice the chicken into strips. You can then add the chicken to the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for atleast 2-3 hours so the flavours can penetrate the chicken. If you don't have that much time you could also consider marinating the chicken for a shorter time period - say about 15-30 minutes, but then it will not be as delicious as the one prepared with a longer marination period.
• Preheat the broiler. Make sure the top oven rack is in the highest position, just under the broiling unit.
• If you have metal or bamboo skewers, thread the chicken strips onto the skewers and lay the skewers on a baking sheet. If you don't have skewers, place the chicken in a single layer on the baking sheet. Discard the marinade.
• Broil the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until it is completely white and is just beginning to turn brown. Skewers make the turning-over process go faster.
• Serve immediately.

The beauty of this dish is in the delicate and distinct flavour of the sauce and the way it blends with the chicken. Teriyaki Sauce is definitely one of the most loved contributions of Japanese cuisine and it sure is on the top of my list whenever I think of Japanese food. As with most such food though, the key is in the marination. The longer you marinate, the better will be the absorption of the flavours by the meat. If you are short on time then you can perhaps shorten the marination time, but then you might have to compromise a little on the taste.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dick_Ransome/477110

Quick Chicken Recipes - The Advantages

Now is a good time to start saving money, in fact, any time is really. Whatever your reasons, however, quick chicken recipes can help you eliminate a lot of overuse and excess spending when it comes to providing healthy, hearty meals for your family. With a small investment of time you can start diverting money from your grocery spending directly into your rainy day fund.

Usually bone-out, skinless chicken breasts cost far more than the alternatives. Meat shears however can help you make the most of this lean meat. Another great recipe starter is boneless, skinless thighs. You can use your shears to trim off extra fat as well as in cutting the meat down to size.

Meat is generally the most expensive portion of every meal. Potatoes, rice and vegetables are inexpensive and healthy additions that will not only help keep your family full as part of many satisfying recipes, but will decrease fat and provide vital nutrients as well. When you want to cut costs and increase health, rather than eliminating meat, try cutting it into much smaller pieces and reducing the overall portions. Use meat shears to trim meat down to bite size pieces that can be cooked and added to a dish, giving the appearance of a large amount of meat.

The rest of the meal will consist of inexpensive additions that will be filling and flavorful. A steamed pot of jasmine rice can be added to the finely chopped chicken that has been seared in a pan of olive oil. Diced scallions, chopped garlic, sliced olives, tomatoes and bell pepper can be added as well. With the desired herbs and seasonings you can spice this dish up and served with a fresh green salad.

If you are in the mood for comfort food, pan sear the cut chicken with mushrooms that have been sliced, and fresh chopped or minced garlic. This can then be combined with white wine, Marsala sauce and a generous dose of cracked black peppercorns. The perfect side dish for this is mashed potatoes and a steamed vegetable such as broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots or summer squash. With little money you can create a hearty feast that is flavorful and filling.

There is in fact no real limit on what you can do with a few simple ingredients and chicken that is properly cut. You can use stewed tomatoes of chicken stock as a soup starter, your sauteed, grilled or steamed veggies, jasmine rice and cooked chicken can simmer within. Or you can cool your chicken, combine it with grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses, chopped romaine lettuce and homemade croutons. This can be tossed with Caesar dressing and served on a hot day.

With a small bit of imagination you can turn quick chicken recipes into wholesome, delicious fare for your family. You can even trim your grocery bill a bit, when you implement techniques that enable you to decrease the household meat consumption. This way, everyone feels healthier, and you have more money in your wallet to boot.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrew_Goligher/468140

Warm Curried Chicken Salad Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes + overnight marinating
Total cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons mild Indian curry paste
1/4 cup (60ml/2 fl oz.) coconut milk
750 g (1 1/2lb) chicken fillets, sliced
150 g (5 oz.) green beans, halved
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1/3 cup (30 g/1 oz.) flaked almonds, toasted
1 red capsicum, sliced
250 g (8 oz.) rocket
100 g (3 1/2 oz) fried egg noodles
Lemon Dressing
1/3 cup (80ml/23/4 fl oz.) olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon soft sugar

1. Mix together the curry paste and the coconut milk, add all the chicken, toss it to coat, cover it and refrigerate it overnight.

2. Cook all the beans in some boiling water for about 30 seconds, or until they are just tender. Refresh them under some cold water and drain them.

3. Heat a wok until hot, add half of the oil and swirl it to coat. Cook all the chicken in two small batches, for about 5 minutes each batch, or until they become browned, using all the remaining oil for the second batch. Remove it from the wok.

4. To make the dressing, place all the ingredients in a jar and shake them well.
Place all the chicken, the beans, the almonds, the capsicum, the rocket and dressing in a large bowl and mix them well. Stir all in the noodles and serve immediately.

Nutrition Value:
Protein 32 g;
Fat 29 g;
Carbohydrate 6.5 g;
Dietary Fibre 2.5 g;
Cholesterol 72mg;
Energy 1730kJ (412 cal)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shirley_M._Duran/504931

How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast

It is quite a daunting task to try and attempt to learn How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast that is juicy and tender especially if you are still new to the kitchen. One of the most common problems that people encounter when grilling chicken breasts is ending up with a dried up piece of meat because there is no protective layer of skin and the thickness is inconsistent. But to learn the art of How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast, you must have a lot of patience because it takes a lot of practice. If you want to achieve the perfect balance of succulent and tender, simply follow these tips on How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast:

1. Wash the chicken breasts and trim the excess fat. Pierce them along the breast on both sides with a fork. This allows the liquid to seep into the meat and lock in the moisture.

2. Soak them in olive oil and your choice of seasoning or marinade. Olive oil adds a subtle flavor to your chicken and it prevents the meat from drying out quickly.

3. Marinate the chicken for about twenty minutes. Don't leave it soaking for more than an hour if you're using a vinegar-based marinade.

4. Prep the grill. Make sure that whatever grill you're using is completely heated.

5. Place the chicken breasts on the grill. One of the most important tips on How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast is to not let them cook for more than four minutes or else you will end up with a dried up piece of meat. Flip the meat only once and do not put on the lid of the grill. Make sure you pay close attention to the meat because it only takes a while to cook and you don't want to overcook it.

6. Remove the chicken breasts from the grill and serve them immediately. Enjoy!
These tips on How to Grill the Perfect Chicken Breast are pretty easy and once you have mastered the art of it, soon enough you will be the one giving out your own tips on grilling like a seasoned chef.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Oscar_Orillia/339348

Barbecue Chicken Everyone Loves

During the summer in the United States backyards fill with smoke, smells, and chattering voices. This is usually what is involved in a backyard barbecue. During the summer all types of events promote such a gathering. Sometimes is a holiday such as The 4th Of July. Other times its a high school graduation. It even may be a simple gathering of friends and family to enjoy good food with good friends for a good time. Whatever the case may be, food is always on the agenda and is often of the most importance.

Here is a recipe for barbecue chicken that never fails to tantalize the tastes buds of any barbecue aficionado.
This is a recipe that my family has used for many years. My father has operated and owned a family meat store for thirty some years and his father before that. My dad uses this barbecue chicken recipe endlessly and it never fails to satisfy anyones' taste.

Preparation:
Take as much chicken breast as needed and put it in a plastic bag with Italian dressing. Use enough dressing so that all the chicken is covered completely. Put it in the fridge over night or for several hours.

Heat the gas grill to medium heat. It is best to oil the surface of the grill with either a spray oil or regular oil. This should be done before the grill is turned on as to avoid any unnecessary flames.

Cook the chicken, continuously flipping each piece until the chicken breasts are cooked all the way through with no pink. Now it is time to add the barbecue sauce. I prefer to use "The Jug" barbecue sauce. Apply sauce to one side of each piece. Then pick up each piece and rubs its bottom on the top of the pieces that already are covered with barbecue sauce. Cook that side for about 2 minutes. Flip over each piece and apply barbecue sauce once again using the same steps as above. Cook on this side for 2 minutes and then the barbecue chicken is done! So eat!
I would like to credit this recipe to my father.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Troy_Gearhart/71725